Sudden drop in milk supply

[borislava]

Hello ladies,
I am a WOHM and currently nursing my 7mo DS. I've had a wonderful supply up until a week and 1/2 ago. I was able to pump between 12 and 15 oz in two sessions and he was always eating one side at a time, every 2-3 hours. I didnt introduce solids until 2 weeks ago and we are only doing little bites and tastes. He also likes snacking a lot at night and he doesnt take a paci.
So a week and a half a go a noticed a drop in my suppy - suddenly I wasnt able to pump so much and my breasts didn't feel full at all. Now I am lucky if I can pump 4 oz at a time and he is obvously struggling to get milk at the breast. My DCP had to supplement with formula twice as well.
I am trying to figure out what is going on and what can cause something like this... I did get my period 5 days ago and also I was sick for 2 weeks and on abx for a UTI but I expected that my supply will bounce back in a day or two after my period started. This is my second child and with DD I definitely noticed dip in my supply with my period but it always came back in a day or two.
I am completely freaked out that my milk is gone... Has any of you experienced anything like that?
Btw, I am taking calcium/magnesuim supplement, 6 pills of Fenugreek, and 1000mg vit C daily. I am thinking of adding Iron as well. I am also drinking lots of water and just ordered domperidone. I am currently pumping 3 times at work and the rest of the time I am nursing around the clock and co-sleeping.
Any help and ideas will be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!

[liz-hippymom]

you arnt pregnant are you? milk supply usually wains when one becomes pregnant

[borislava]

I even did a pregnancy test last week - it was negative, plus I am having my period right now...

[PatioGardener]

Have you checked your pump? Often a quick drop like that means the pump suction has dropped significantly.

[borislava]

It is a new pump I got 3 weeks ago. My old one broke so I got a new Medela PIS. I've used it for a week and 1/2 without a problem..... and then my milk dipped....

[rcr]

I am having the same problem - just posted a new thread about it, and then saw yours. I am down to pumping about half as much as I used to - all of the sudden, although I don't see that my DS is having trouble getting any milk.

Sorry no, advice, but subbing.

[Ruthla]

Having your period can lead to a dip in supply- you should see an increase in milk when you're mid-cycle. I used to take more milk out of the freezer during PMS/AF and replenish the freezer two weeks later.

[azgirl]

the dom should definitely help! Start with a really small dose (10mg 3X a day) and go up from there...good luck!

[borislava]

Thanks everyone!
My period ended but still no increase in my milk. So far DS is holding - he is definitely struggling to get milk considering my milk used to just pour into his mouth but at least he doesn't get frustrated... so far.
I just figured out today that the 6 pills of Fenugreek I am taking are not enough, so I am going to increase to 9 (4.5 grams) daily. I also ordered dom so hopefully I will get it next week.
I also went to my doctor yesterday to get my thyroid checked since I've had thyroid problems in the past and low thyroid levels can lead to low supply. I can't wait to get the results next week and see if that's what is causing the problem.

[Elismum]

I've been having similar problems with my 7.5 month old. I posted here and in Working Moms and got some good advice to just pump more. My LC gave me that advice too.

So when I wake up in the middle of the night, even if LO is still sleeping, I pump for 5-10 minutes. I also pump for 5-10 minutes at 6 am when I wake up and for 15 min. before I go to bed. LO sleeps 7 pm to about 3:30 am when I feed him and then he goes back to sleep until 7 am. I think those long stretches were reducing the supply. At 6 am, I only try to pump 1-2 oz so not to be short when he wakes.

I'm also planning to pump a couple more times on the weekends. It's a lot of pumping but I saw some real results yesterday after a few days of my stepped-up regimen. Last week and even Monday of this week, my three pumpings at work had reduced to 7 oz total. Yesterday in my three pumpings, I got 11 oz!! I'm really relieved. Give it a try, it may work for you.

[MaryJaneLouise]

Here's some info on the 6 month slump:

http://www.workandpump.com/6month.htm